The croc that’s been spotted around Phuket was seen again early this morning. Fishery Department officials spotted the croc in a lagoon at the southern end of Bang Tao Beach, on Phuket’s west coast, early this morning, but attempts to lure and catch the reptile failed.
Officials believe the crocodile seen this morning is the same one caught on drone footage swimming off Bang Tao Beach last Thursday.
Officials reported the sighting at about 4am after setting a 300-meter long fishing net across the mouth of the pond where it flowed into the sea yesterday evening.
After setting the net and waiting hours, they began scouring the lake with a searchlight.
“Officials found the crocodile by its eyes, which reflected the light. Officials believe that it is definitely the same crocodile,” said the short report this morning.
However, attempts to track down and capture the crocodile failed, the lagoon covers an area of 27.6 acres and reaches depths of up to 20 meters.
The Phuket Fisheries officials set up their net at the lagoon last night, assisted by Surat Thani Fisheries Deptt officials called in to help, after Phuket Fisheries Chief Paiboon Bunlippatanon pointed out that the crocodile was likely to remain near large natural freshwater sources.
“There used to be two crocodile farms in Thalang, but both farms were deregistered in 2016 and they sold all their crocodiles,” Paiboon said yesterday.
However, it is not known who bought each croc and this specimen is believed to be from one of those farms.
Paiboon added, “Officers are keeping an eye on beaches and big fresh water sources 24 hours a day.” They have also asked crocodile show workers, who are experts with the animals, to be on standby so if the crocodile is spotted, they can help catch it.
Story: The Phuket News
